revenant

American  

[rev-uh-nuhnt] / ˈrɛv ə nənt /

noun

revenants plural

1. a person who returns.

2. a person who returns as a spirit after death; ghost.

3. a corpse reanimated by a supernatural force; an undead being.

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revenant British  

/ ˈrɛvɪnənt /

noun

1. something, esp a ghost, that returns

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• revenants
  plural

Etymology

Origin of revenant

First recorded in 1820–30; from French: literally, “one returning from a long absence; ghost,” noun use of present participle of revenir “to return,” equivalent to re- “again” + ven(ir) “to come” + -ant present participle ending; see also re- -ant

Explanation

Use the word revenant to talk about someone who returns after a long absence. If your cat goes missing for weeks, only to stroll back into your house one morning, you could describe him as a revenant. Anyone who comes back after being gone for a long time can be described as revenant, which can be a noun or an adjective. You can even use revenant to talk about ghosts, in that they are said to be spirits of those returning from the dead, or a fashion trend from long ago that is popular again, like revenant tie-dye t-shirts. The word revenant comes from the French revenir, which means "to return."

Example Sentences

Porto Rico, also starring Viggo Mortensen, will be executive produced by Alejandro G Iñárritu, the Oscar-winning director of Birdman and The Revenant.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

"It's an emotional biography that isn't trying to be true," said the director, who besides "The Revenant" also won three Oscars for directing, co-writing and co-producing "Birdman", which also got the nod for best picture.

From Reuters • Sep. 1, 2022

DiCaprio won an Oscar in 2016 for "The Revenant," and is now nominated for his role in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

From Fox News • Feb. 2, 2020

You know, when, before The Revenant, I used to watch, you know, year after year, his co-stars accept awards, and get up and thank him profusely.

From Slate • Jan. 6, 2020

There is a powerfully-written story in Blackwood's Magazine, April, 1827, entitled "Le Revenant," in which a resuscitated felon is supposed to describe his feelings and experience.

From Notes and Queries, Number 237, May 13, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Various